Pale brown crystal aggregates of the very rare zirconium mineral baghdadite from the TL in Iraq (Dupezeh Mountain, Hero, Qala-Diz, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Iraq). Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Baghdadite
Baghdadite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Ca₆Zr₂(Si₂O₇)₂O₄.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/a). It is a member of the Wöhlerite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 6; specific gravity 3.48; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Bgd, IMA status: approved, named in 1982.
Found in a melilite skarn in contact with banded diorite, in roof pendant xenoliths of calc-silicate marbles and hornfels.
It is found associated with º Akermanite, perovskite, schorlomite, monticellite, wollastonite, foshagite, calcite, phlogopite, spinel, cuspidine, baddeleyite, pyrrhotite, djerfisherite.
The name refers to Baghdad, the capital of Iraq.